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A close-up of perfectly glazed honey garlic chicken thighs

Sweet and Savory Honey Garlic Chicken Thighs

Enjoy tender, juicy chicken thighs coated in a rich, sticky honey garlic glaze. This dish perfectly balances sweet and savory flavors for a satisfying meal.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings 4 people
Calories 450 kcal

Equipment

  • Large skillet or Dutch oven
  • Small bowl

Ingredients
  

Main Ingredients

  • 6-8 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs (or boneless, skinless for a quicker cook)
  • 1/2 cup honey
  • 1/4 cup soy sauce (low-sodium preferred)
  • 4-6 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon rice vinegar (or apple cider vinegar)
  • 1 teaspoon sesame oil (optional, for extra depth)
  • 1 teaspoon fresh ginger, grated (optional, for a little kick)
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch (mixed with 1 tablespoon water, for thickening)
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • Salt and black pepper to taste

For Serving

  • Sesame seeds and chopped green onions for serving (garnish)

Instructions
 

Preparation

  • Pat the chicken thighs dry and season them generously with salt and pepper on both sides. Heat olive oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat.

Cooking

  • Sear the chicken thighs skin-side down for 5-7 minutes until golden, then flip and sear for another 3-5 minutes. Remove chicken and set aside, leaving fat in the pan.
  • Reduce heat to medium, add minced garlic and ginger (if using), and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant. Whisk in honey, soy sauce, rice vinegar, and sesame oil (if using) and bring to a simmer.
  • Create a cornstarch slurry by whisking cornstarch and water in a small bowl, then pour into the simmering sauce and whisk until thickened.
  • Return seared chicken to the skillet, nestling into the sauce, reduce heat to low, and cover. Simmer for 15-20 minutes, or until cooked through (165°F/74°C), periodically spooning sauce over chicken.

Serving

  • Garnish with sesame seeds and chopped green onions before serving.

Notes

For extra flavor, marinate the chicken in a portion of the honey garlic sauce for at least 30 minutes before searing. Adjust the spice level by adding a pinch of red pepper flakes to the sauce. This dish pairs wonderfully with steamed rice and a side of green vegetables.